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Post by rap on Mar 24, 2009 13:12:16 GMT 8
Muscovy
Muscovy ducks control flies and other insects the natural way. They are particularly helpful controlling flies, grasshoppers and locusts. In one experiment where two year old Muscovy ducks were put in cow pens, the fly population was reduced by 80 to 90 percent.
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Post by Duck Diva on Mar 28, 2009 19:38:30 GMT 8
Yolk Sac One of four extra-embryonic (outside the embryo) membranes inside an egg.
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Post by rap on Mar 28, 2009 22:17:36 GMT 8
Chicken (Gallus gallus, sometimes G. gallus domesticus) is a domesticated fowl. Recent evidence suggests that domestication of the chicken was under way in Vietnam over 10,000 years ago.[1] Until this discovery, conventional wisdom held that the chicken was domesticated in India.[1]
Some genetic research has suggested that the bird likely descended from both Red and the Grey Junglefowl (G. sonneratii). Although hybrids of both wild types usually tend toward sterility, recent genetic work has revealed that the genotype for yellow skin present in the domestic fowl is not present in what is otherwise its closest kin, the Red Junglefowl. It is deemed most likely, then, that the yellow skin trait in domestic birds originated in the Grey Junglefowl.[2]
The chicken is one of the most common and widespread domestic animals. With a population of more than 24 billion in 2003,[3] there are more chickens in the world than any other bird. Humans keep chickens primarily as a source of food, consuming both their meat and their eggs. NEXT LETTER IS N
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Post by plink on Mar 29, 2009 2:57:34 GMT 8
Necrotic Enteritis
An acute or chronic enterotoxemia seen in chickens, turkeys and ducks worldwide, caused by Clostridium perfringens and characterised by a fibrino-necrotic enteritis, usually of the mid- small intestine. Mortality may be 5-50%, usually around 10%. Infection occurs by faecal-oral transmission. Spores of the causative organism are highly resistant. Predisposing factors include coccidiosis/coccidiasis, diet (high protein), in ducks possibly heavy strains, high viscosity diets (often associated with high rye and wheat inclusions in the diet), contaminated feed and/or water, other debilitating diseases.
Signs Depression. Ruffled feathers. Inappetance. Closed eyes. Immobility. Dark coloured diarrhoea. Sudden death in good condition (ducks).
Diagnosis A presumptive diagnosis may be made based on flock history and gross lesions Confirmation is on the observation of abundant rods in smears from affected tissues and a good response to specific medication, usually in less than 48 hours.
Treatment Penicillins (e.g. phenoxymethyl penicillin, amoxycillin), in drinking water, or Bacitracin in feed (e.g. 100 ppm). Treatment of ducks is not very successful, neomycin and erythromycin are used in the USA. Water medication for 3-5 days and in-feed medication for 5-7 days depending on the severity.
Prevention Penicillin in feed is preventive, high levels of most growth promotors and normal levels of ionophore anticoccidials also help. Probiotics may limit multiplication of bacteria and toxin production. In many countries local regulations or market conditions prevent the routine use of many of these options.
Next letter S
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Post by rap on Mar 29, 2009 10:27:20 GMT 8
Sexing chickens NEXT LETTER IS S Vent or cloacal sexing
The art of vent or cloacal sexing of day-old chickens is difficult to master without instructions from an experienced sexer. Use the following to help develop the procedure. Before examining the vent, discharge the chicken´s excretions by lightly pressing on both sides of the abdomen in a downward motion.
* Place the chicken on its back in the palm of your hand with the head towards you, put thumb and first two fingers around its thighs to hold it. * Tip your hand so that the chicken´s breast is towards you, vent uppermost. * Place your middle fingers over the chicken´s breast to support the chicken leaving your thumb free. (If you have large hands, place the chicken´s head between your little finger and ring finger for additional support.) * Place the thumb of your other hand on the lower portion of the vent (anus). * Using the index finger start from the top of the vent moving down, back and around, rolling the vent in a sideways action. * At the same time a similar action with the free thumb, starting from the top and rolling down and back. * With the thumb and forefinger placed either side of the vent apply gentle pressure and a rolling action to evert the vent and expose the male eminence or lack of it (sexed as female). After a little practice this can be accomplished without injury or significant discomfort to the chicken.
The eminence or genital organ is found midway on the lower rim of the vent, and looks like a very small pimple. Even though its size and shape can vary considerably, it can be recognised with a little practice and a keen eye. Most males have a relatively prominent eminence, most females have none. However, a small proportion of both males and female have relatively small eminences. Sexing these chickens can be quite difficult but with regular practice the sexer will eventually learn to identify the differences.
When learning to sex chickens it is best to assume that chickens with small eminences are female. The male eminence is solid and will not disappear upon gentle rubbing with your thumb. Having access to chickens of known sex is a great help in developing the art of vent sexing and feather-sexed meat chickens are ideal for this purpose.
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Post by plink on Mar 29, 2009 20:09:14 GMT 8
Svart Höna or Swedish Black Hen This breed is from the west coast valley of Sweden. It is a sturdy and calm bird and a good layer. The formal name of this breed is the "Bohuslän - Dals Svarthöna" because it is from those two counties in Sweden.
Svarthöns are always black and weigh around 5 to 7.5 pounds (2 to 3 kilos). Like Silkies, they have black skin, bones and meat.
The next word starts with "A"
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Post by rap on Mar 29, 2009 21:38:32 GMT 8
Appenzell Pointed head hen
Origin: The Pointed Hood Hen has been present in the Alps for centuries. According to unconfirmed reports it was supposed to have been bred already in the 15th century. During the breed demarcationing of the last century it was found only in the canton Appenzell, for which reason it was named the “Appenzell Pointed Hood” Hen.
Characteristics: The Pointed Hood Hen is ideally adapted to the conditions of the mountains. It climbs admirably on rocky ground and can fly well, which intensifies the wild hen impression. It gladly spends the night in a tree - even in snow. Because it has only small throat lopes and instead of a comb two small horns, there is little surface for frost to bite. Characteristic is the narrow, forward-inclining hood of feathers on the head. Hens weigh mostly only a little over 1 kg, roosters over 1,5 kg. Pointed Hood Hens are relatively good layers; they lay approx. 150 white-shelled eggs in the first year, each 55 g in weight. The brooding instinct is very minimal. NEXT LETTER IS L
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